SME Corp is taking the reins at pushing local small-medium enterprises (SMEs) toward global eminence via the prestigious Enterprise 50 (E50) awards.

Incepted in 1997, the award ceremony has been an important benchmark for SMEs’ business performance based on a reliable, impartial, and stringent evaluation conducted by independent industry players and experts. 

This year, at its 23rd edition, winners will be announced at the E50 awards ceremony on Nov 4 after nominations have begun since March 1.

This would play a vital role in boosting the SMEs’ confidence after a two-year challenging period for local and global economy amid the slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

This has led to as many as 150,000 SMEs closing shop last year. 

Hence, the award acts as an initiative to showcase successful Malaysian business and promote the ‘Malaysian Brand’ across the globe and encourage the others to bounce back.

SME Corp CEO Rizal Nainy (picture; above) said the E50 award is vital in the development of SMEs in Malaysia, especially in terms of capacity building, finance as well as business networking both domestically and internationally.

“We have since crowned 725 E50 award winners who have also expanded and grown their markets at both the domestic and international stages overtime.

“In view of further growth, SME Corp will continue to support the E50 alumni as well as future winners,” Rizal said.

He reiterated that the Award strives to inspire SMEs to overcome the challenges and become key catalysts as well as champions of the country’s economic growth.

“The E50 Award is a prestigious programme which celebrates the achievements of 50 crème de la crème SMEs in the country. 

“It is a mechanism for assessing and recognising SMEs so that their competitiveness can be improved, thus driving the nation’s economic growth as a whole,” he added.

Award winners will stand a chance to accelerate their businesses to new heights, as being part of the exclusive “E50 club” and allow them to reap benefits such as automatically nominated to the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s Industry Excellence Award and other entrepreneurship award programmes, opportunities to be featured on both offline and online media as well as the privilege to use the E50 logo on their corporate promotional materials and products.

Datuk Seri Syed Hussien Al Habshee, Chairman of SME Corp Malaysia

Other benefits include participation at international workshops and forums, as well as preferred business linkages with multinational corporations.

The previous E50 award winners have further enhanced their stature within the Malaysian business community. 

To be eligible, companies must fulfil a number of criteria, namely meeting the definition of SMEs and locally incorporated with at least 40% local equity; having a four-star rating and above from the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement (SCORE); not listed on any Malaysia Bourse, including ACE Market; and have three years’ audited financial records.

For more information about the E50 Award Programme, visit www.e50.com.my